The Toyota Prius used to be a groundbreaking vehicle, but it’s lost some of its luster as we’ve begun moving into the electric era.
However, Toyota officials dropped the first hints about the next-generation Prius during their E-Volution event earlier this week.
While the company was coy on specifics, officials told us to “wait until you see the next one.” That’s pretty vague, but in the context of the discussion it implies the next-generation Prius will be more powerful and fuel efficient than its predecessor.
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There’s no word on numbers, but the current Prius features a hybridized powertrain that consists of a 1.8-liter four-cylinder engine, an electric motor and a small battery pack. This setup enables the hatchback to produce a combined output of 121 hp (90 kW / 123 PS) and offer an EPA-estimated fuel economy rating of up to 58 mpg city, 53 mpg highway and 56 mpg combined.
Toyota also offers an all-wheel drive variant as well as a plug-in hybrid version known as the Prime. The latter sports a larger 8.8 kWh lithium-ion battery pack, which enables the model to travel up to 25 miles (40 km) on electricity alone.
What Do We Know About The Next Gen Prius?
Little is known about the next-generation Prius, but officials have previously said they need to find a “new direction” for the vehicle and this has spurred speculation about the model transforming into a crossover or spawning a crossover variant. However, it reportedly won’t go electric as the company wants the Prius to remain affordable.
Reports have suggested the redesigned Prius will arrive late next year and continue to use a 1.8-liter engine. If that’s the case, it would seem to suggest the powertrain upgrades will likely be evolutionary. That being said, rumors have indicated a hydrogen-powered variant could be added to the lineup in the future.
